PhD Mechanical Engineering at West Virginia University

Programme overview

The PhD in Mechanical Engineering is a research doctorate administered through the Statler College's interdisciplinary PhD program. Students complete a planned program of study with their advisor and committee, write a dissertation that makes an original contribution to mechanical engineering, and defend it.

Faculty: Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources | Department: Department of Mechanical, Materials, and Aerospace Engineering | Duration: 60 credit hours (BS-PhD pathway); 42 credit hours (MS-PhD pathway) | Study mode: full-time | Location: Morgantown, WV, United States

What you will study

Core area courses in fluid mechanics, thermal sciences, dynamics and controls, solid mechanics or materials science, plus 12 hours of mathematics, additional courses and research credits. Requirements include a qualifying exam, candidacy exam with dissertation proposal, and final defense; a journal manuscript or patent disclosure submission is required before the defense.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

WVU graduate programmes (university-wide regular admission): a bachelor's degree with at least a 2.75 GPA on a 4.0 scale (or a 3.0 or higher average over the last sixty credit hours where applied); applicants with a lower record may be considered for provisional admission. International applicants must meet WVU's English proficiency minimums: Academic IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 79 (scores through January 2026; 4.0 on the revised scale after January 2026), Duolingo English Test 105, PTE Academic 53 or TOEFL Essentials 9.0.

Requirements published at program group level.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Graduate applications are made through the WVU online graduate application with a $75 application fee; minimum cumulative GPA 2.75 on a 4.0 scale for regular admission, and some programmes require higher.

Engineering